Flexible coupling



Nov. 21,'1928. 1,692,918

` J. R. DUNHAM FLEXI BLE COUPL I NG PatenteavNQv. 27, i928.

JOHN R. DUNHAM, OE HIGHLAND PARK, N

CORPORATION, OE NEW BRUNSWICK,

JERSEY.

FLEXIBLE Application iled June 15,

This invention relates toimprovements in flexible Couplings, and more particularly in the means Jfor anchoring the flexible elements or pins which connect the main coupling members. y j

The principal object of the invention is to provide anchoring means for the cylindrical' keepers such that the keepers are positively prevented from rotating in the cylindrical recesses of the main coupling members which they occupy.

In the attached drawings:

Figure l is an end view ,of a flexible cou. pling made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective of the ilexible coupling element, and j Fig. 4 is a View of the locking element.

With reference to the drawings, one type of couplingto which this invention is applicable consists of a pair of flanged coupling members 1 and 2 adapted to be attached to the adjacent ends of the shafts to be connected. The flange 3 of each of these coupling members is provided with transverse openings, 4 and 5 respectively, for reception of the keepers 6 and 7 of flexible elements or pins which connect the members 1 and 2 together." As shownin Fig. 3, these coupling pins comprise a flexible element 8 usually consisting of a bundle of fiat steel shims whose ends are secured` respectively in the keepers 6 and `7.v

As shown in Fig. 2. the openings 4 of the member 1 are provided in the present instance with'bushings 9in which the keepers 6 slide,

while the flange 3 of the member 2 is cut away on the inside to forman outwardly extending annular recess 10, which as illustrated interA sects the inner sides of the openings 5 which receive the keepers 7. The keepers' 7 are formed at their outer ends with a hook formation providing a recess 11 which registers ywith the recess 10 of' the coupling member as illustrated, and a keeper element, usually in the form of a split ring, is adapted to be inserted' in the slot 10 in which itexpands into the recesses 11 in the keepers 7, thereby locking these keepers in the openings 5 and retaining the coupling pins in the proper position to connect the members land 2;

Some diiiculty has been experienced in the past owing to a tendency of the keepers 7 and 6 to rotate in the openings, and the split ring usually employed as the locking element is not always effective in preventing this rota,-

. iniziai;A UNITED lsiarlszs PATENT OFFICE.

EW JERSEY, AssIGNoR 'ro JOENIWALDRON NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION or NEW COUPLING.

i927.' serial No, 199,054.

clearlyl shown, is split or divided at one point,

and one end 14 thereof is inserted in a recess V 15 in the said hub provided for its reception which prevents angular movement of the locking element with respect to the member 2. Also the recess "15 is so placed'that the inwardly projecting portions 13 of the element occupy positions between the cylindrical openings 5 in the flange 3 occupied by the keepers 7, so that the projecting portions of the element intermediate the parts 13 extend into the slot 10 and the recesses 11 in the keepers 7 in the usual manner to thereby anchor the keepers inthe coupling member.

It Will be noted by reference to Fig. 1 that the other extremity of the element 12 is turned in and is adapted toV bear against the hub of the member 2 -in the same manner as turned lhub meeting portion intermediate4 each adjacent pair of the openings 5. It will be apparent that by reason of these inturned v parts which in assembly bear solidly upon the hub 2, the split locking element 12 cannot be lllexed inwardly toan extent permitting the keepers 7 to rotate. The element 12, however, may easily bejli'exed to permit insertion or retraction of the element from the recess 10. I claim: Y "1. A ilexible coupling comprising a pair of coupling members having corresponding and registering series of cylindricaly openings, flexible coupling pinsv connecting said members and comprising keepers adapted for inf.

sertion in said openings, at least one of the coupling members and the associated keepers of the coupling pin having registering transverse recesses, and a resilient split element carried in the recess of said couplin'gmember and adapted to project into the recesses of the keepers to anchcr them in said member, said elementl `includlng parts projecting inwardly and in abutment with asurface of said member and preventing accidental contraction of said retaining element to an extent permitting rotation ot the keepers in the coupling members.

2. fr eXible coupling comprising a pair of coupling members eachl comprising a hub portion and a projecting flange having therein a series of cylindrical openings, the said openings of the said members corresponding in number and being adapted to register on lines parallel to the axis or rotation of said members, at least one of said coupling members and the associated keepers of the. coupling pin having registering transverse recesses, and a resilient .split element carried in the recess of said coupling member and adapted to project into the recesses of the keepers to anchor them in the member, said element being substantially annular in form and having inwardly projecting portions adapted in assembly to abut the hub of said member to prevent accidental contraction to an extent permitting rotation of the keepers in the coupling members.

3. A exible coupling comprising a pair of coupling members each comprising a hub portion and a projectinglange having therein a series of cylindrical openings, the said openings of the said members corresponding in number and being adapted to register on lines parallel to the vaxis of rotation of said members, at least one of said coupling members and the associated keepers of. the cou pling pin having registering transverse recesses, a resilient split element carried in the recess of said coupling member and adapted te project into the recesses of the keepers to anchor them in the member, said element being substantially annular in form and having inwardly projecting portions adapted in assembly to abut the hub of said member to prevent accidental 'contraction to an extent permitting rotation of the keepers in the coupling members, and means for preventing angular movement of said locking element with respect to the coupling member in which it is mounted. v

li. A flexible coupling comprising a pair of coupling members each comprising a hub portion and an outwardly extending flange having a series of cylindrical apertures whose axes are parallel to the axis of rotation of said members, one. of said members having also an annular recess extending into the face of Ione of the flanges, with an extension at its inner end extending outwardly toward the periphery of the flange and intersecting the said cylindrical openings, flexible coupling pins for connecting said members and comprising keepers adapted for insertion in said openings, at least one keeper of each pin having a transverse recess, and .a resilient split and substantially annular element adapted for insertion in the annular recess of the said coupling member and adapted to project outwardly and into the transverse recesses of the 'coupling pins to lock the pins inthe coupling member and having inwardly extend- .ino' portions enlrainon the cou lin member t5 L D C b b at the bottom of the recess to prevent ac# cidental contraction to an extent permitting 'rotation of the keepers in the coupling membern JHN R. DUNHAM. 

